Konnichiwa!! My apologies for taking so long to do an update, so much has been happening. After 1 month of being here I finally sorted out my internet *yay* (yes setting up internet in Japan takes a looooong time). Anyhow, lots have happened and yes I’m finally in Japan. Gonna break up everything in parts to its easier to read.
Departure and Travel
My total travelling time from Jamaica to my placement (Sendai) was 4 days. I left on September 12th and arrived in Sendai on the 15th, the longest journey of my life but it was quite an adventure to say the least. My intinerary was from Kingston – Miami (overnight) – Chicago – Tokyo (overnight) – Sendai. The Chicago to Tokyo leg was about 13hrs, I ate, slept and watched tv shows and movies like there was no tomorrow lol so all in all it wasn’t bad. When I got to Tokyo, myself and 6 other persons were greeted by a rep. from CLAIR and taken to our hotel.
Baskin Robbins!!!
Okonomiyaki!!! Its a Japanese panacake with whatever filling u choose - mine had cheese, eggs, ham and vegetables - very delicious
The next day everyone was taken to their different placements …. I took the shinkansen (bullet train) to Sendai. That total trip was about 1hr 35mins. At Sendai my education advisor and Japanese PA met me and we had lunch then applied for my alien registration card and bank account then I visited my school. All in all it was a long and tiring day, being on a plane for 12+ hours will do that do you. Simple procedures in Japan (well they seem simple to me) are a painfully long process. Getting a phone alone took up 2.5 hrs of my time, I’m tired and annoyed just typing about it uggghh.
Apartment
My apartment is about 6 mins from my school and 2 mins from a supermarket so that’s a big plus. There’s also a bank, dentist, post office and clinic within walking distance of me. I’m 5 mins from the local train station and the city is about 15 mins away by train so basically I’m comfortably close to many amenities.
The apartment itself is in a pretty quiet suburban neighborhood. It’s a bit bigger than many apartments (by Japanese standards, will post a video later). Living, dining, kitchen, bathroom, store room, tatami room (bedroom). Most ALTs who live smack in the middle of Sendai City live in some really small studios so I’m glad mine has a bit of space. I got it fully furnished basically, my predecessor left a lot of stuff for me thankfully (free of charge) so I didn’t really have any upfront housing costs.
School
I’m working at a junior high of about 640 students. I also do two elementary school visits on Fridays. The students are friendly and my supervisor, principal and vice principal are really kind and helpful. The other teachers are nice too and the tea lady is just a peach. She has a lil hat in rasta colours that she puts on every time I pass by lol, simply hilarious.
The Verdict
All in all my time here has been great so far.The support from others who’ve been here longer than me has been amazing. I deeply miss my friends, family and Jamaica in general but this is def the beginning of a new adventure and many stories to tell :)
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